A Bee Swarm Transfer

On June 25, 2024, BeeBuzzGardens had their first solo experience transferring a swarm of bees from one box to another, and it turned out to be quite an eventful day. The process began around 10:30 AM with high hopes and a good deal of preparation. Using smoke to calm the bees, BeeBuzzGardens approached the swarm box, only to find it surprisingly heavy and densely packed with bees. Despite their best efforts, the bees became increasingly agitated as the transfer progressed, and BeeBuzzGardens found themselves overwhelmed by the situation.

Faced with the challenge of angry bees, BeeBuzzGardens decided it was best to step away and let the bees settle down. Later that afternoon, around 4:30 PM, they reflected on the chaotic attempt. Despite being chased and struggling to shake off the persistent bees upon returning home, they were uncertain whether the queen had successfully made the transfer. The bees were still very active around the new hive, leaving some doubt as to whether the transfer had gone according to plan.

However, one positive sign stood out—most of the bees had vacated the original swarm box, suggesting that the majority of the swarm, if not the queen, had moved into the new hive. BeeBuzzGardens made a critical observation: allowing the bees to reorient themselves was crucial in helping them adjust to their new home. Although the outcome wasn’t entirely clear, they planned to add another super to the hive soon, opting not to use a queen excluder. For now, their focus remains on helping the bees build strength and prepare for winter, rather than harvesting honey.

In the latter part of the day, BeeBuzzGardens shared another experience with their bees, this time while inspecting their hive. Despite being covered in bees and feeling overwhelmed during the process, they made it through without a single sting. At one point, they speculated that the queen bee might have been on them due to the bees’ attention, but fortunately, they were able to clear themselves of bees without any trouble.

As they observed the activity around the new hive, BeeBuzzGardens noted the increasing calmness of the bees and made plans to add a super without a queen excluder in the near future. Having worked with both Langstroth and top-bar hives this year, they were excited about the experience they were gaining as a first-year beekeeper, despite the challenges and occasional aggression from the bees. The swarm trap they had initially set up had only a few bees around it now, indicating that the majority of the swarm had relocated successfully.

After a long, educational day with the bees, BeeBuzzGardens decided it was time for a well-deserved break and a meal before tackling their next steps in managing the hives. Although it had been a trying experience, it reinforced the learning curve of beekeeping and the resilience needed to handle the complexities of caring for bees.

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